Hi All, as my name suggests I may be in the market for a 2016 Maxima.

The dealers I've talked to have not been able to help me in the least bit so I just need some clarification:

SL vs SR

What are the differences? Dealerships have all told me the only difference is that the SR get's 19" wheels and the SL get's a sunroof. There has got to be more to it then that...

Thanks in advance!

 

From Nissanusa.com
SR features include:
Sport-tuned suspension
Integrated Dynamics-control Module
19" Aluminum-alloy wheels
Premium Ascot Leather-appointed seats with Alcantara® inserts

http://www.nissanusa.com/cars/maxima...card.vlp.image

 

I've actually checked Nissan.com already, the issue not knowing if the information is reliable. E.g. The SR I drove today did not have the Bose stereo even though the website states it should. Dealer just said "Oh some just don't come with it" which seems odd to me.

 

The SL, SR and Platinum all come with the Bose Premium Audio system with 11 speakers (including center audio speaker). It is not annotated anywhere on the center console. There are three good ways to tell, though:

1. Bose logo on center channel speaker
2. Bose logo on the amplifier in the trunk
3. Bose Centerpoint sound setting available under the settings menu

Here are pics I took for you:

 

I actually have a 2015 Q40 and 2015 Pathfinder(both with Bose) and this SR I saw had no Bose emblems like you showed in the screenshot. On the window sticker there was a line item and while I can't remember the actual wording, it was along the lines of "Feature Withheld" -$750. Not in stock? Special dealer order? Demo? I have no idea.

Looking around it seems there are quite a few differences between the two cars. LED lights, suspension, interior seating seems to be different etc. I think I'll probably end up with the SR if I decide to grab one. I'd rather have the LED lights, 19" wheels, and other doodads as opposed to the sunroof(even if the sunroof is pretty sweet).

 

That is exactly how I felt and why I went with the SR. I'm very perplexed by your experience with the Bose system. I've never heard of that. It's very strange that the car wouldn't have had it, but it's a feature I definitely would want.

 

The SLs I checked out at my dealer back in September had the Bose. I would think most of the SLs you check will have the Bose. I don't remember seeing the words 'Feature Withheld' for anything on the 2016 Maximas I checked out at Nissan South's three lots last summer.

What you found at your dealer is not common. If the 'Feature Withheld' was on the factory sticker, then Nissan made the switch at the factory, and that could have been at the dealer's request, or not. We have no way of knowing. But if the 'Feature Withheld' is on the dealership sticker added after the car reached the dealer, then the switch in radios was done by the dealer.

 

I will want the Bose. I think it's very very underrated. This being said I remember back in 2012 I was one of the first people in line for the new Dodge Chargers and there was a similar situation with the stereos. Dodge was putting beats into the new cars but some were showing up at with Alpine due to Beats not being able to fill the demand. That car however was lemoned in 6 months

 

seems pretty unlikely if the SL comes with Bose that it didnt have BOSE in that car. Maybe it was an S or SV?

 

Is it more likely that an SR had one feature withheld or that an S/SV had the 19" wheels and SR interior? Again, I own a Q40 and brand new Pathfinder so I'm familiar with the system and will be able to distinguish a Bose from a non-Bose system.

Features can be withheld for a number of reasons, but I digress. I know the SR will contain Bose typically, what I was after is the other differences because the dealer I've talked to does not seem to know the product that well. Assuming that the car is shipped from the factory to Nissanusa.com specs I've narrowed down what the differences will be and have decided to go with the SR should I complete the deal.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I bet someone bought an S but would only close the deal if the dealer would swap in a Bose stereo, so the dealer made the swap. One important difference
is the sr also has air conditioned seats.

 

I'm curious how the SL vs SR drive feels - I only tried the SR but was specifically looking for a very stiff ride where you feel every bump. Most reviewers seemed to prefer the SL/Plat.

 

There are other variables you might wish to consider.

In driving my 2016 Platinum home, I felt the ride was very rough, so suspected the psi was high. I checked and found all four tires were in the 48 to 50 psi range. Be aware the psi in the tires of the cars you are test-driving may not be right.

For over thirty years, I have owned nothing but Maximas, and for over thirty years, I have carried either 35, 36 or 37 psi in my tires (Nissan recommends 33) in order to have them wear evenly across the tread (gives maximum life of tire for my style of driving). Carrying 37 psi in the tires of an SL or Platinum actually gives a fairly firm ride, not greatly different than the recommended 33 psi feels in the SR. I feel like I can turn corners at just about whatever speed I wish with 36 or 37 psi in my tires. Ride comfort-wise, this is sort of a compromise between the SL and SE.

 

I know people will say this isn't a "good idea" but has anyone paid the lease in FULL day 1 not to have a payment at all for 3 years? This fits my situation right now- which is why I ask. If i do- I will have 0 liability per month credit wise for the car correct? As opposed to taking a loan?
Just asking because my trade in would cover the payments up front on the Platinum 339 a month lease.Would be 3 more years no payments.

 

The only thing I can think of that you should do is make sure you have gap insurance to cover yourself in case of a total loss of the car during the lease. Insurance will pay only for the current market value of the car and not the amount paid for the lease. Without gap insurance you could stand to loose thousands.

 

I read that some dealers include the GAP. I'm just considering options- likely will end up financing.

 

Going off topic a little bit, but leases do come with some sort of GAP-like thing. I'm leasing my Platinum currently and am an Internet Sales Manager at my local Nissan store.

Also, SL's, SR's and Platinum's should all have BOSE. If an SR didn't, it must have been some mess up from the factory.

 

Any thoughts on a one payment lease? does nissan do these?